Hughton laments missed opportunities

Newcastle caretaker boss Chris Hughton felt his side had missed an opportunity after being held to a 1-1 draw at Hull on Saturday.

The Magpies came from a goal down to earn an important point as Steven Taylor cancelled out Geovanni's opener. But Newcastle only remain outside the relegation zone on goal difference and with difficult games against Arsenal and Chelsea in the next fortnight, their position is precarious.

Hughton, who remains in charge in the absence of Joe Kinnear, said: "I'm disappointed we didn't get the three points we came for."

He added: "We gave away a poor defensive goal very early in the game, which rocked us and gave them the confidence they needed.

"But having scored our goal at a good time, I was convinced at half-time that we were in the ascendancy and we'd come out and that would enable us to get the three points. I felt in the second half we were the side more likely to get the win."

Hughton admitted his side's remaining schedule, which also includes Liverpool and Aston Villa, was testing but is confident they can handle the pressure.

He added: "It is going to be a tough run-in towards the end of the season but we have been able to go up a place.

"But the teams around us have tough games as well. Ours have been highlighted a bit more because of our next two games. We have got to make sure we win a better percentage of games than the others do."

One positive for Newcastle was the return of Michael Owen after five games out injured, although the England striker had a quiet game and was withdrawn after 72 minutes.

Hughton added: "He got a good hour under his belt and probably the bigger emotion will be the result, that we didn't get the three points that we wanted. He'll be better for the hour he played."

Copyright (c) PA Sport 2009, All Rights Reserved.

Do YOU want to write for GiveMeSport? Get started today by signing-up and submitting an article HERE: http://gms.to/writeforgms

Report author of article

DISCLAIMER

This article has been written by a member of the GiveMeSport Writing Academy and does not represent the views of
GiveMeSport.com or SportsNewMedia. The views and opinions expressed are solely that of the author credited at the top of this article.
GiveMeSport.com and SportsNewMedia do not take any responsibility for the content of its contributors.

Want more content like this?

Like our GiveMeSport Facebook Page and you will get this directly to you.